The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-03-31

THE action of the assembly IN passing
a bill requiring railroads IN the state to
issue members of the legislature, state
officers and judges passes over tfelr lines
is most severely commented upon by
number of the papers of the state. Ii
this action of the assembly had not fol-
lowed directly after the defeat of bill
prohibiting the officers named from ac-
cepting railroad passes, the motive of the
last bill might not appear discreditable.
The pass system had attained such dis
graceful dimensions that there was a
unanimous approval of the Interpretation
of the Interstate law prohibiting their
issuance. Even the beneficiaries of the
system perceived its abuse and gladly
surrendered privilege which had grown
into an evil so far as the public good was
concerned. The privileged class en-
loved an immunity at the expense of the
general public and the belief had become
fixed that official conscience was frequent
ly stilled by the distribution of favors in
the shape of railroad passes. For that
reason there was most hearty unanim-
ity OF opinion on the wisdom of abolish
ing the pass, except in the assembly OF
the state of Wisconsin.
On what grounds, either moral or ex-
pedient, can the assembly base its action?
Is it to place the members beyond the
power Of the corrupting influence Of rail
road passes? Why then was the Winans
bill which prohibited members from
accepting passes killed by a body which
sought to make obligatory the granting
of passes? If the assembly was actuated
by disinterested and lofty motive, why
not show it by passing a bill which would
have no faint of suspicion in it and be in
perfect accord with the prevailing senti-
ment for reform?
IF the pass is a bride it should not be
demanded as right under color of law
If to receive a pass argues no moral
obliquity then there was no need of legis-
lation as the railroad corporations have
only been too liberal in granting these
ravors. IL they were granted for a con-
sideratiOn how can the members of the
legislature demand that they receive the
price of that which they decline to give?
II passes have been bride. does the
assembly assume that they have become
a right by prescription? With this view
OF the case have not those exemptions
and favors given in return attained to
the same prescrptive force? Can there.
be such an entire severance of reciprocity
that one party shall be perpetually the
donor, and the other the recipient?
The Winans bill furnished a dirnifed
and an honorable means OF placing
members above corrupting influence and
suspicion. Here was an opportunity
which might have been embraced If the
purpose was to place the legislature on
The plane OF self-respecting independence.
It would be saying: We want no favors:
ge viii receive none. We are the peo-
ple's representatives, and we do not pro-
pose to be placed under any obligations
which would tend to make us forgetful
| Of their interests.
Instead the assembly has practically
said by its passage of this BILL We want
q continuance of the favors which the
~ailcoad companies extended TO us. We
F-,,rr-
..4,,a+od ~, am, GOOD ,,,,r,,o.o. ,r,1 o.
The naesae haze hoao iss,,ad IA nc 49,
baoause zvo are citizens lint booa,sa rro
ara 1eo;sla+ors Will, r,or--ar =, fro,,,., L.,
aboIisbino Discrimination in favor Of corn
aanrae We are not conscious &c b,r-i,, !.
been Influenced Nv +basa ,assas j, I;o,is-
alton portainino 10 railroads lint +ha
net remains that they er;ov nr;vilar,as
mich IRE wronr to other Dronart,-
holders who nav faxes We want to ba
Independent of the roads and to secure
MS We shall not say: keen your masses.
We want no favors from Won yrbi.a ,,,s-,
rast reflection on orr honesty. We 4, NOT
SAINT our indaDendanc7 hammered nv ann,
sense OF obligation TO YOU; but we shan
compel the railroads to give us that
which they never refused. Their inter
asted iberalitv shall no Ionoer have +ba
!
o7rsaIzns the nrir;Ia,ro. rra sb,Il +oI-o :
IS onr dua
Wbv should legislators state officers
nd i,,d,.o. +r,r,,I - +l,a o-.,,,,,z...a.l a..
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